So it’s 2017, another year has passed. Let’s hope 2017 is a good year for all pets and pet lovers. There are still many improvements to be made concerning the treatment of animals, and we are looking forward to this year improving the health of millions of pets all over the world – especially those that live in terrible circumstances.

My cat wasn’t impressed by the fireworks at all, she slept through the whole ordeal.

The cats below need a long sleep after all those New Year festivities though!

Keeping a close eye on the health of your cat is important. Cats do experience pain similarly to humans. Just like humans they can be affected by infectious diseases. By monitoring your cat’s health daily you will be able to prevent more serious health issues at a later time. Visiting the veterinarian at least once a year is strongly advised. You really shouldn’t delay informing your vet if you notice any peculiar behaviour from your cat.

Stress is just as bad for your cat as it is for you. Make sure your cat gets plenty of rest. You might think that cats have no problem relaxing, and in general you’d be right. However stressful households DO have a negative effect on their health. If you can’t provide a stable, at times quiet, place for your cat to grow old in, then perhaps you should reconsider getting a cat if you haven’t already.

Cats can not eat all human foods. Some foods are actually a danger to their well-being. Obesity is a major issue in the world of humans, are we feeding our cats properly? Over-feeding is quite common. A big well-fed cat might look cute, but in the long term health problems can develop such as diabetes, and arthritis. Cats’ behaviour has changed over the years. They were once kept mostly to hunt for mice in barns, hence got much more exercise. Nowadays their lives are much more sedentary – so their diet needs to adjust as well.

Feed your cat plenty of liquid! Giving your cat too much dry food will cause dehydration, and might end in urinary-tract problems. A diet rich in liquids is a must. Cats get most of their water from the food we provide them with. Other than feeding your cat a mouse every day, which consist of about 70% water, canned foods will do the job just as well. Besides canned food as a source of water, additionally there should be plenty of fresh water available to your cat.

Please note that cats are carnivores, they prefer meat – they were designed to function mainly on meat. Trying to turn your cat into a vegetarian is not advisable.

If you have any concerns about your cat’s health, consult your veterinarian. Many health problems can be prevented if timely action is taken.

So Summer is finally approaching in the Northern Hemisphere. Time to look at some beautiful butterflies that mainly occur in the Southern Hemisphere :-). The following butterflies are members of the Coeliadinae family, which in turn is a subfamily of the Hesperiidae. It is not one of the largest subfamilies, with only about 150 known species. The Coeliadinae butterflies still need more study, as they have yet to reveal all their secrets.

Credit : silviareiche.com

Credit : shenaandoahnpvirginia.weebly.com

The parent family of Coeliadinae, Hesperiidae, are also called Skipper butterflies. Their flight is characterised by quick movement. You will find them mostly in neotropical regions of the Earth.

Credit : butterflypix.com

The wings of the butterflies of the Hesperiidae family are usually rounded. They are usually coloured brown or grey. There are currently 3500 known species of skipper butterflies. Their sizes vary, the Giant skipper (as its name implies) is much larger than its cousins of other families.

Okay so these aren’t actual pets. They are small cats that mostly live in the wild. They are much fiercer than their domesticated cat cousins that we keep as pets. I thought it would be interesting to see how they differ from “regular” cats.

Photo : lcss.us

Bobcat

A North American cat thought to be evolved from the Eurasian (see below) lynx. It has been around for a long time, nearly 2 million years. The Bobcat is active during twilight, however, during the colder seasons it is more active during the day.

Photo : Wikipedia

Eurasian Lynx

Native to Europe and Asia, it is the largest of the lynx species. It can grow to 130 cm in length. Its powerful long legs make it a fast predator. Rabbits, deer, and wild boar are part of its prefered diet.

Photo : Wikipedia

Flat-headed cat

Not a species I was previously familiar with. Perhaps not surprising considering it is endangered, and only shows up in a small region of the world, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra. As the name implies, it has a flat head, a slender body – and thick fur.

Photo : Wikipedia

Ocelot

Also called “Dwarf Leopard” (its fur resembles that of a Leopard), this wild cat can be found in South America. It prefers living alone, only seeking company when it is time to mate. They are territorial, and will risk their own lives to protect “their” land.